Draconic Sphere Ω

Chapter 19: Literally Anywhere Else In The Entire World

"You did great, Brunhild!" cried Dandelion.

"That's a weapons rack," said Kaergat.

The actual Brunhild was white as a sheet and looked like she wanted to vomit. "L-let's get out of here," she stammered. "I swear, I never want to see this place again –"

"Brunhild! You joined de tournament!" came a joyful voice.

"Second Aunt Gertrud," groaned Brunhild.

"Show respect," growled Kaergat out of the corner of his mouth in dwarvish.

"Fuck you, Tiefenschürfer," Brunhild growled back.

"We are zo proud off you!" cried Gertrud.

"Representing clan," agreed Second Uncle Leonhard.

"Of course, lose is okay," said Gertrud. "Everyone lose sometime, ja?"

Brunhild groaned.

"De most important thing is dat you keep fight until end, show dat a Redmayne never give up, ja?" continued Gertud.

"Jawohl, of course Brunhild keep fight," laughed Leonhard heartily. "She know she could never bring horrible shame upon the family name by give up!"

"Of course, hahaha," laughed Gertrud. "Dat would be bad enough for exile, haha! What an idea Brunhild do something so horrible shameful!"

"Ha. Ha," said Brunhild. "Now excuse me, I'm going to go literally anywhere else and talk to literally anyone else in the entire world. Second Aunt Gertrud, Second Uncle Leonhard," Brunhild gave a short bow and a dwarven salute to each in turn, and strode off without looking back.

"What mean 'literally anyone else'?" asked Gertrud to Lacrie.

"Uh, bye!" said Lacrie, running after Brunhild and the rest.

*

Brunhild strode away from the main square, looking no one in the eye and caring little if her friends followed or not. She entered the first inn she found which was not dwarvish, and ordered wine.

"One Grösste Fehler Meines Lebens," said the barkeep as Lacrie came in, pulling Dandelion by the hand, who was smiling and staring into space.

Brunhild stared at the dark brown contents of the tankard. "I said wine, you –"

"– My friend is a little stressed out," cut in Kaergat. "I'll drink that, it's fine, but could we also get a red wine, please?"

The barkeep apologised and fetched a bottle of wine. "Just so you're aware, there's a strict nighttime curfew in Aqua Profunda, and the sun sets in half an hour," he said as he poured Brunhild a glass.

"It's okay, we live right round the corner," lied Brunhild, accepting the wine and drinking deep.

"Um, Kaergat?" asked Lacrie quietly.

"Yes?"

"Dandelion won't listen to me – could you try and convince her to accept a sobering spell?"

Kaergat pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, Götter," he whispered. "Dandelion?" he said.

"Yeah?"

"Let Lacrie give you a sobering spell... um... or else."

"Okay."

"Really?" said Lacrie in surprise.

"Quick, do it before she can change her mind!" growled Kaergat.

"What was that?" said Dandelion. "Ow! Ugh! Oh, the humanity!"

"This shouldn't hurt," said Lacrie with concern.

"No, that's just what normal life feels like," said Dandelion. "SOoOoOo BORing." She gave a cheery smile. "Thanks Lacrie!"

"You're welcome..." said Lacrie.

"Another wine," said Brunhild. The barkeep obliged. Brunhild drank it without stopping to take a breath. "Actually," she said, "What's the name of that stuff that's like wine, but stronger?"

"Port?" suggested the barkeep.

"Nah, stronger than that."

"Brandy?"

"That's the one."

"Apologies, we are out of brandy. We have... uh... some human-made whisky?"

"So long as it doesn't have a humorous dwarvish name," growled Brunhild.

"Hey... is Brunhild alright?" asked Dandelion.

"I'm GREAT!" yelled Brunhild, and started crying into the crook of her elbow. Her friends, as one, hugged her from behind. She let them.